WAGGA City Wanderers' hopes of soaring into the finals are growing more realistic by the week after they moved to within two points of the top four with a 3-0 shutout of Narrabundah at Gissing Oval on Saturday.
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The Wanderers were expected to account for the third-last Bulls at home, but a second straight win has them well in playoff contention before a winnable road clash with second-from-bottom Southern Tablelands next week.
Top side Canberra White Eagles did the Wanderers (13 games, 18 points) a favour by thrashing fourth-placed Weston Molonglo (12 games, 20 points) 4-0, but Queanbeyan City (12 games, 20 points) have emerged as another rival after upsetting top two team O'Connor Knights 2-1.
However the Wanderers play Weston Molonglo (home) and Queanbeyan (away) in their final two rounds, putting destiny in their own hands.
Wanderers captain Jake Ploenges opened the scoring against Narrabundah after about half an hour with a well placed header after a shot from a teammate ricocheted off the cross bar.
Ten minutes later Zach Pinney doubled the leader with another header, before centre back Paul Milner scored his first goal for the club after finishing off an attacking run with a superb left foot finish.
The Bulls finished the game with ten men after Billy Moullakis was issued a second yellow card shortly after Wagga City's second goal.
Wanderers skipper and goalkeeper Rob Fry insisted he never lost faith his side could make a late charge for a finals spot in their maiden National Premier League Canberra season.
"I've kept a keen eye on the draw and seeing those games (late season schedule) lined up, I was always confident we would be a chance," he said.
"(Against Narrabundah) there was blokes sitting on the bench that would be disappointed to be there because they're genuine first graders, and it's the first time we've been able to show that depth."
Teenagers Will Shuttleworth, Luke Stevens and Jacob Ochieng continue to impress for the Wanderers, with defender Shuttleworth named man of the match.
"It's always nice to keep a clean sheet, especially two in a row (after beating Brindabella 3-0) last week. It's at least something tangible I can value myself against," Fry said.
"If we win all three of our remaining games we are in regardless of other results because we will take points off those guys (Weston Molonglo and Queanbeyan)."
Meanwhile, the Wanderers under-20s are into fourth spot after also accounting for Narrabundah 3-0 at Gissing Oval on Saturday, while the women's side had the bye.
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